| NEWS 02.25.09 4:06 PM |
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In the News: Northern Trust Upsets Congress, Mardi Gras Carries on Despite Recession
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Magazine Publishers of America Downsize Conference: The annual American Magazine Conference, planned as a three-day function in Boca Raton, Florida, this October, won't go ahead as planned. Instead, the Magazine Publishers of America will host a one-day event in New York. [Mediaweek]
Washington Riled Over Northern Trust Corp. Spending: A group of congressional representatives, led by Barney Frank, has called out Northern Trust Corporation for misuse of the $16 billion in U.S. bailout funds it received last year. TMZ reported earlier this week that a firm-sponsored golf tournament in California included nights in the Beverly Wilshire and Ritz-Carlton hotels for clients and employees, lavish parties with A-list entertainment, and Tiffany souvenirs. A spokesman wouldn't divulge details of costs, but insisted the spending "is part of a business decision regarding an annual event to show appreciation for clients.” [Bloomberg]
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RELATED TOPICS
Magazine Publishers of America, Northern Trust, Mardi Gras, Liz Smith, Oscars, Academy Awards |
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| EVENT INTELLIGENCE 06.12.08 12:31 PM |
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M.C.s Gone Wild: Keeping Talent From Going Off-Book and Out-of-Bounds
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 | Jon Stewart at a 2005 Magazine Publisers of America event
Photo: M. Szwajkos/ Getty Images |
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The great thing about napkins or centerpieces or tents is that they don’t talk back. They don’t have a bad day, forget their audience, or have a few too many cocktails before an event. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for people, and when a planner enlists someone as a host or M.C., a certain element of risk and unpredictability gets added to the mix. And a poor performance can upset guests, sponsors, journalists—and, of course, the process of producing the event itself.
For example: Rosie O’Donnell made some jaws drop at the New York Women in Communications’ Matrix Awards luncheon last year, dropping the F-bomb and unleashing a less-than-refined rant directed at Donald Trump. In 2005, Jon Stewart ruffled feathers while mediating a panel for the Magazine Publishers of America, during which he skewered—some thought inappropriately—the magazines of -panelists Dave Zinczenko (from Men’s Health) and Kate White (from Cosmopolitan). And tongues wagged after Stephen Colbert addressed the 2006 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner crowd, which included the commander in chief himself, with an irony-rich routine that many felt punched, rather than poked fun at, the president.
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RELATED TOPICS
M.C.s, New York Women in Communications, Matrix Awards, Magazine Publishers of America, White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, AOL, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan magazine, Jon Stewart, Rosie O'Donnell, Stephen Colbert |
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